'It's non-stop': Medical association says health-care worker burnout has doubled since pandemic
'It's non-stop': Medical association says health-care worker burnout has doubled since pandemic
'It's non-stop': Medical association says health-care worker burnout has doubled since pandemic
Elinor Kelly doesn't shy away from challenges.
As the lead clinical nurse in a critical care and burn unit, she runs toward them. But the pandemic has piled on problems — from an increase in trauma patients to COVID-19 patients.
“It's non-stop so you go from COVID to the traumas. It's never a bit of a break. It used to be you had quietness, but you don't anymore,” Kelly said.
“The patients aren’t stopping. And I think because there was such a shutdown for so long, people got sicker.”
Kelly has been a nurse for 27 years. She still loves her job, and finds her management team and organization supportive, but like many health professionals, she’s tired.
Dr. Katharine Smart, president of the Canadian Medical Association, said the rate of burnout is double what it was pre-pandemic.
“Our health-care system is at a level of crisis we've never really seen and the health workers are in a state of crisis we've never seen,” said Smart.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), have developed health human resources solutions designed to rebuild Canada’s health-care workforce.
In the next six months, the groups want Ottawa and the provinces to create retention incentives for health-care workers -- options like retention bonuses, tax incentives or loan forgiveness for new graduates.
The CMA, CAN and CFPC also want to see more mental health supports for workers and to find ways to trim time spent on paperwork.
“Removing the administrative burden that nurses and other health-care workers have, where they're doing administrative tasks instead of actual nursing care, would make a difference,” said Tim Guest, CEO of the Canadian Nurses Association.
The groups also want provinces to build on virtual care models, invest in new training for doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners, and support internationally trained professionals to get licensed in Canada.
In the long-term, they want to see a pan-Canadian mental health plan for health-care workers and better data collection across health systems to support creating a health human resource plan for Canada.
“What health-care professionals do we need, and where do we need them?” Smart said. “I think a lot of Canadians would be surprised to know that information doesn’t exist right now.”
During National Nurses week last week, Kelly felt her colleagues were acknowledged and recognized. She believes the secret to attracting and retaining people is about more than money, but it helps.
“How do we retain workers? Probably a raise,” Kelly said. “Probably a decent one. I think that's going to have to help. Especially for critical care nurses because critical care, we have a lot of people that we train and recruit, but after a year or so they can go work privately at triple the amount of money I’m making after 27 years.”
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
Canada will add 74 more people and businesses in Russia and Belarus to its sanctions list, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday as he met other G7 leaders in Germany to discuss the threat to global security posed by the invasion of Ukraine.
Ottawa's mayor is warning the city won't tolerate any illegal activity downtown during Canada Day festivities this year, as the city prepares for possible protests.
Scores of civilians were feared killed or wounded in a Russian missile strike Monday on a crowded shopping mall in Ukraine's central city of Kremenchuk, Ukrainian officials said.
Organizers of a central Alberta rodeo and its parade committee are calling for calm after a float in this weekend's parade, which possessed a racist theme, was seen in the procession.
Several cars on an Amtrak train derailed in Mendon, Missouri, on Monday after hitting a dump truck at a crossing and there are early reports of injuries among the approximately 243 passengers on board, Amtrak said in a statement.
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
An Ontario man whose car was stolen from his driveway in midtown Toronto twice in three months is revealing how he tracked and located his second vehicle.
An Ontario man says he’s been in a “helpless” years-long battle with the RBC, and is now in debt and on the hook for more than $8,000, after someone stole his debit card and guessed his PIN.
Organizers of a central Alberta rodeo and its parade committee are calling for calm after a float in this weekend's parade, which possessed a racist theme, was seen in the procession.
The Calgary Stampede announced on Monday that retired CTV News meteorologist David Spence will be serving as the celebrity judge for the 2022 Stampede Parade.
The federal government has signed an agreement with Quebec to provide $221 million in funding for long-term care homes in the province to address 'gaps in infection control' and staffing issues highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A six-turbine wind farm was officially inaugurated Monday in Montérégie on Montreal's South Shore in the presence of several officials from the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community of Kahnawake and others.
A public demand that Alberta stick with the RCMP has been signed by 32 towns, 22 villages, seven organizations, six counties, three summer villages, two other municipalities and The City of Wetaskiwin.
A Sherwood Park masseuse who was charged earlier this year after a girl reported being sexually assaulted during a massage appointment is facing additional charges after 13 more victims came forward.
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
OPP say an arrest warrant has been issued for a 20-year old Hamilton man after a man was shot late Friday night on Manitoulin Island and later died from his injuries.
A report headed to city council in Greater Sudbury this week says the estimated cost to build Junction East -- a new art gallery and library downtown -- now sits at $98.5 million.
Four London teenagers are facing charges Monday for their alleged involvement after a police officer was assaulted and knives and drugs were seized over the weekend, according to police.
J.W. McDonald Auto Service has had a few names over the years but it has always been able to provide vehicle service to Winnipeggers. But now, the Exchange District staple is gearing down and set to close its doors for good.
A Canadian ride-share service marketed as a discounted, regional alternative to Uber has shut down, with management pointing to the pandemic and soaring fuel prices as factors in its demise.
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
Ottawa's mayor is warning the city won't tolerate any illegal activity downtown during Canada Day festivities this year, as the city prepares for possible protests.
Three people accused of mischief and break-and-enter in relation to an Abbotsford hog farm pleaded not guilty to all charges at the start of their jury trial on Monday.
The agency that oversees the majority of British Columbia’s 911 calls is anticipating one of the busiest summers on record for emergency services and first responders.
A seven-year-old Regina boy is being treated for serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle at a bus stop in Regina on June 21, according to an online fundraiser.
A 28-year-old man on a bicycle was seriously injured Sunday evening after being hit by a pickup truck near the intersection of Garnet St. and Dewdney Ave., the Regina Police Service (RPS) said in a news release.
